In concert with enhancing and preserving environmental quality, the policy of the city government shall be to use all practicable means and measures to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony and fulfill the social, economic and other requirements of present and future generations. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute to the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the environment. There is a need to understand the relationship between the maintenance of high-quality ecological systems and the general welfare of the people of the city, including their enjoyment of the natural resources of the city. It is the intent of the city that the protection and enhancement of the environment shall be given appropriate weight with social and economic consideration in public policy. Social, economic and environmental factors shall be considered together in reaching decisions on proposed activities. In order to carry out the provisions of this chapter, it is the continuing responsibility of the city to use all practicable means, consistent with other essential considerations, to improve and coordinate plans, facilities, programs and resources to the end that the city may:
(a) Fulfill the responsibilities of each generation as trustee of the environment for succeeding generations;
(b) Assure for all citizens safe, healthful, productive and aesthetically and culturally pleasing surroundings;
(c) Attain the widest range of beneficial uses of the environment without degradation, risk to health or safety or other undesirable and unintended consequences;
(d) Preserve important historic, cultural and natural aspects of our heritage, and maintain, wherever possible, an environment which supports diversity and variety of individual choice;
(e) Achieve a balance between growth and resource use which will permit high standards of living and wide sharing of life’s amenities; and
(f) Enhance the quality of renewable resources and approach the optimum attainable recycling of depletable resources.
(Ord. 1978-160, passed 8-7-1978)